Former President Donald Trump has initiated a substantial legal action against two key US government agencies, filing a $10bn lawsuit that accuses them of failing to protect his confidential tax information from unauthorised disclosure.
Legal Action Over Alleged Security Failures
In a complaint lodged with the federal court in Miami on Thursday, Trump, alongside his adult sons Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, as well as the Trump Organization, contends that the US Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service neglected to implement mandatory security protocols. This alleged oversight, according to the plaintiffs, enabled former IRS contractor Charles Littlejohn to leak sensitive tax return data to what they describe as "leftist media outlets."
Substantial Claims of Harm and Damages
The legal filing asserts that the unauthorised disclosures have inflicted significant and irreparable damage upon the plaintiffs' reputations and financial interests. The complaint details that the leaks have resulted in public embarrassment, unfairly tarnished business reputations, and negatively impacted public standing. The plaintiffs reserve the right to seek punitive damages, arguing that the leaks were either willful or stemmed from gross negligence on the part of the agencies.
Notably, the lawsuit places Trump in the unusual position of suing executive branch agencies. The IRS operates under the umbrella of the Treasury Department, yet neither institution provided an immediate response to requests for comment following the filing outside of standard business hours. It is important to note that Treasury Secretary and acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent is not named as a defendant in this particular action.
Pattern of High-Value Litigation
This latest lawsuit continues a pattern of substantial legal claims filed by Trump in his personal capacity since securing a second term in the White House in 2024. His legal strategy has frequently targeted media organisations following critical reporting.
Previous Media-Related Lawsuits
- A $15bn lawsuit against the New York Times and publisher Penguin Random House over articles and a book alleged to have undermined his 2024 election prospects.
- A separate $10bn claim against the Wall Street Journal concerning an article discussing a birthday greeting for Jeffrey Epstein.
- Another $10bn lawsuit filed against the BBC regarding its editing of a speech preceding the January 6th Capitol events.
All these cases, including the new action against the IRS and Treasury, have been filed or assisted by Florida-based attorney Alejandro Brito, who also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Scope of the Leaked Information
The complaint specifies that the leaked tax information formed the basis for extensive media coverage. According to the filing, the New York Times published at least eight articles and ProPublica published at least fifty articles utilising the disclosures provided by Charles Littlejohn.
Background on the Leaker
Charles Littlejohn, aged 40, was charged by prosecutors in September 2023 with leaking the tax records of Donald Trump and thousands of other wealthy Americans to media outlets. Authorities stated his actions were motivated by a political agenda. Littlejohn pleaded guilty the following month to unauthorised disclosure of income tax return information and was sentenced in January 2024 to a five-year prison term.
This lawsuit underscores ongoing tensions between public figures, government agencies, and media organisations regarding the handling of sensitive personal financial data and the legal repercussions of its unauthorised release.
